Pigeon Creek Shakespeare Company presents an all female-cast of Henry IV: Part One

Pigeon Creek Shakespeare Company presents Henry IV, Part One with a new twist this summer. The war-driven play will feature an all-female cast, turning the traditional concept on its head.

Executive Director Katherine Mayberry said that when choosing the play for this season, Pigeon Creek considered, “What would be most interesting with an all-female cast? We wanted something stereotypically male. Henry IV is largely about war, which, in our culture, we associate with masculinity.
We wanted something challenging for our female actors.”

So what does a historical play have to do with present day? Mayberry said Henry IV is “really relatable in terms of plot. We want audiences to get a chance to see plays they wouldn’t have a chance to. It mixes serious and comic moments.” In Henry IV, there are two parallel plots, both about rebellion. One is a military rebellion against King Henry IV and the other concerns Henry’s son, Prince Hal, who doesn’t want to be a prince. Hal spends his time out in the bars with common people and trying to run away from his duty as prince. But with the war, he becomes conflicted over whether to help protect his father or continue slacking. Mayberry explained this story is relevant today because it “questions what duty is. When you’re involved in military conflict, who is it that serves? Who goes to war and who doesn’t?”

If you’re as enamored with the characters as Pigeon Creek hopes, you can see a continuation of their lives, though surrounding a different conflict, in the staged reading of Henry IV, Part Two at Dog Story Theater on August 21 at 8 p.m. for a pay-what-you-will donation. For tickets, visit the box office.

Henry IV, Part One is being performed all around West Michigan, so you’ll have a chance to catch it in your area.